News That Stays News

More LINKED August 8, 2010

1. What’s better than a grappling hook? I should take this on my travels.
2. Slow Motion Lightning-Strike. Cool!
3. How Swearing Works. I didn’t read this. Probably a waste of time unless you’re especially interested.
4. New Mayor of Reykjavic
5. Also Cool

Anyway, there’s a name for using terms like “ATM machine” and “PIN number”: RAS syndrome:

RAS syndrome stands for redundant acronym syndrome syndrome and refers to the redundant use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym or initialism with the abbreviation itself, thus in effect repeating one or more words. Usage commentators consider such redundant acronyms poor style and an error to be avoided in writing, though they are common in speech. The term “RAS syndrome” is itself a redundant acronym, and thus is an example of self-referential humor.